Duolian 'O' Style Resonator Guitar - Hawaiian Islander Body

Early in the history of National resonator guitars their instruments found favour among Hawaiian lap guitar players and so to target that market instruments with Hawaiian Island scenes etched into the body were produced, known as 'Islander' models. They first appeared around 1931 but one model in particular revived the demand for these guitars, that being the iconic cover photo of the Dire Straits album 'Brothers In Arms' .

So here is our tribute to that guitar with solid brass Duolian 'O' style body with an anodized brushed steel finish. The bell brass used for the body imparts a rounder tone than steel body models. The resonator cone is precision spun on a computer controlled lathe for authentic tone and sustain. The biscuit bridge is solid acacia wood and the string saddle is hand made from boxwood, true to early resonator tradition. The mahogany neck has a bound rosewood fretboard with 14 frets to the body, a vintage style slotted headstock and vintage style tuning machines.

As with all our resonator models, the guitar is carefully set up in our workshop and fitted with 16-56 gauge phosphor bronze resonator strings. The action is set at 3mm (+/- 0.25mm) at the 12th  fret, comfortable for both slide and finger picking playing.

Specification

Solid brass Duolian 'O' style body with anodized vintage steel finish and 'Hawaiian' graphic - mahogany neck with bound rosewood fretboard, vintage style slotted headstock with vintage style tuning machines, 9.5" precision spun aluminium resonator cone - solid koa biscuit bridge with handmade boxwood string saddle - 16-56 gauge phosphor bronze resonator strings - Oxford Nylon covered, plush lined rigid shell case included.

Dimensions

Overall length: 102cm(40")

Body Dimensions

Length: 51cm(20") Width: Lower bout: 37cm(14.5") Upper bout: 26cm(10.25") Depth: 9cm(3.6")

Playing Dimensions

Frets: 19(14 to the body) Scale length:  650mm(25.5") Action: 3mm @ 12th fret  Nut:  46mm(E to E 38mm)

Weight: 3.7kg (8lb)